Innovation in Oral- and Cranio-Maxillofacial Reconstruction

A special issue of Craniomaxillofacial Trauma & Reconstruction (ISSN 1943-3883).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 5467

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, University Hospital Reina Sofía (HURS), E-14004 Cordoba, Spain
Interests: microsurgery; free tissue flaps; perforato flaps; reconstructive surgical procedures; facial injuries; head and neck neoplasm; computer-aided design; surgical procedures; computer-assisted; virtual planning; skull base surgery

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Guest Editor
Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Interests: oral and maxillofacial surgery; microsurgical reconstruction; computer-assisted surgery; medical 3d printing; oral cancer; free flap; head and neck reconstruction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
Interests: head and neck cancer; facial reconstruction; tertiary centre

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Reconstructing the Head and Neck region presents some of the most complex challenges in surgery, requiring not just technical precision but also creativity, collaboration, and innovation. In recent years, we’ve seen incredible progress thanks to advancements in areas like 3D printing, virtual surgical planning, augmented/mixed reality, artificial intelligence, tissue engineering, and biomaterials. Yet, while the tools at our disposal are more advanced than ever, the challenge remains: how do we translate innovation into better outcomes for our patients?

This Special Issue aims to bring together fresh insights, groundbreaking research, and real-world clinical experiences that are shaping the future of oral and cranio-maxillofacial reconstruction. We welcome contributions that explore novel surgical approaches, digital tools, regenerative techniques, and interdisciplinary strategies that improve both function and aesthetics for patients. Whether you're working at the bench or the bedside, we hope this collection will serve as a platform for sharing ideas that push the boundaries of what's possible in this evolving field.

Dr. Susana Heredero-Jung
Prof. Dr. Richard Yuxiong Su
Dr. Satyesh Parmar
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Craniomaxillofacial Trauma & Reconstruction is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • head and neck surgery

  • oral and maxillofacial surgery
  • biomaterials
  • microvascular surgical procedures
  • reconstructive surgical procedures
  • printing, three-dimensional
  • computer-assisted surgery

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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8 pages, 978 KB  
Article
Integrative Innovation in Genioplasty: Advanced 3D Plate Design: Promoting Stability, Aesthetics, and Harmony Excellence
by Bruno Nifossi Prado, Lucas Cavalieri Pereira, Bianca Pulino and Raphael Capelli Guerra
Craniomaxillofac. Trauma Reconstr. 2025, 18(3), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/cmtr18030042 - 22 Sep 2025
Viewed by 313
Abstract
Background: Genioplasty is a well-established surgical technique for reshaping the chin and enhancing facial harmony. However, conventional fixation methods may present biomechanical and aesthetic limitations. Objective: This study introduces and evaluates a novel Anatomical Chin Plate (ACP), designed to enhance mechanical performance and [...] Read more.
Background: Genioplasty is a well-established surgical technique for reshaping the chin and enhancing facial harmony. However, conventional fixation methods may present biomechanical and aesthetic limitations. Objective: This study introduces and evaluates a novel Anatomical Chin Plate (ACP), designed to enhance mechanical performance and facial aesthetics compared to the conventional chin plate (CP). Methods: A three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) was conducted to compare stress distribution in ACP and CP models under a standardized oblique load of 60 N, simulating muscle forces from the mentalis and digastric muscles. Plates were modeled using Blender and analyzed using ANSYS software 2025 r2. Mechanical behavior was assessed based on von Mises stress, concentration sites, and potential for plastic deformation or fatigue failure. Results: The ACP demonstrated a significantly lower maximum von Mises stress (77.19 MPa) compared to the CP (398.48 MPa). Stress distribution in the ACP was homogeneous, particularly around the lateral fixation holes, while the CP exhibited concentrated stress between central screw holes. These findings indicate that the anatomical geometry of the ACP enhances load dispersion, reduces critical stress concentrations, and minimizes fatigue risk. Conclusions: The ACP design offers superior biomechanical behavior and improved aesthetic potential for genioplasty procedures. Its optimized shape allows for better integration with facial anatomy while providing stable fixation. Further studies are recommended to validate in vitro performance and explore clinical applicability in advanced genioplasty and complex osteotomies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation in Oral- and Cranio-Maxillofacial Reconstruction)
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9 pages, 1578 KB  
Article
Towards MRI-Only Mandibular Resection Planning: CT-like Bone Segmentation from Routine T1 MRI Images Using Deep Learning
by Reinier S. A. ten Brink, Bram J. Merema, Marith E. den Otter, Willemina A. van Veldhuizen, Max J. H. Witjes and Joep Kraeima
Craniomaxillofac. Trauma Reconstr. 2025, 18(3), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/cmtr18030040 - 19 Sep 2025
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Abstract
We present a deep learning-based approach for accurate bone segmentation directly from routine T1-weighted MRI scans, with the goal of enabling MRI-only virtual surgical planning in head and neck oncology. Current workflows rely on CT for bone modeling and MRI for tumor delineation, [...] Read more.
We present a deep learning-based approach for accurate bone segmentation directly from routine T1-weighted MRI scans, with the goal of enabling MRI-only virtual surgical planning in head and neck oncology. Current workflows rely on CT for bone modeling and MRI for tumor delineation, introducing challenges related to image registration, radiation exposure, and resource use. To address this, we trained a deep neural network using CT-based segmentations of the mandible, cranium, and inferior alveolar nerve as ground truth. A dataset of 100 patients with paired CT and MRI scans was collected. MRI scans were resampled to the voxel size of CT, and corresponding CT segmentations were rigidly aligned to MRI. The model was trained on 80 cases and evaluated on 20 cases using Dice similarity coefficient, Intersection over Union (IoU), precision, and recall. The network achieved a mean Dice of 0.86 (SD ± 0.03), IoU of 0.76 (SD ± 0.05), and both precision and recall of 0.86 (SD ± 0.05). Surface deviation analysis between CT- and MRI-derived bone models showed a median deviation of 0.21 mm (IQR 0.05) for the mandible and 0.30 mm (IQR 0.05) for the cranium. These results demonstrate that accurate CT-like bone models can be derived from standard MRI, supporting the feasibility of MRI-only surgical planning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation in Oral- and Cranio-Maxillofacial Reconstruction)
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25 pages, 5273 KB  
Article
Advanced Simulation System for Orbitozygomatic Fracture Reconstruction: Multicenter Validation of a Novel Training and Objective Assessment Platform
by Enrique Vargas, Rodrigo Díaz, Juan Pablo Vargas, Andrés Campolo, Rodrigo Villanueva, Carlos Cortéz and Salvador Valladares-Pérez
Craniomaxillofac. Trauma Reconstr. 2025, 18(3), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/cmtr18030034 - 14 Aug 2025
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Abstract
Orbitozygomatic fractures represent a complex surgical challenge. Given the urgent need for validated educational tools that surpass traditional learning models, this multicenter study developed and validated a novel synthetic advanced simulation model for the reconstruction of these fractures. The model integrates platinum-cured silicones [...] Read more.
Orbitozygomatic fractures represent a complex surgical challenge. Given the urgent need for validated educational tools that surpass traditional learning models, this multicenter study developed and validated a novel synthetic advanced simulation model for the reconstruction of these fractures. The model integrates platinum-cured silicones and 3D-printed bony structures with prefabricated fractures, accurately replicating the anatomy and tactile properties of soft and hard tissues, including simulated herniation of orbital contents. To our knowledge, it is the only available synthetic model combining both tissue types for this training. Ten participants (faculty and residents) completed simulated procedures. Technical performance was assessed using a hand motion tracking system, the global OSATS (Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills) scale, and a task-specific error measurement (Specific Fault Measurement, SFM) scale. Statistically significant differences (p = 0.021) were observed in operative time and error count between novices and experts, confirming the model’s construct validity. Faculty completed the surgery in significantly less time (mean 18.16 min vs. 37.01 min for residents) and made fewer errors (mean 12.25 vs. 53.25). Face and content validity were strongly supported by participant surveys, with 100% stating they would use the simulator to practice before real surgery. A strong inverse correlation (r = –0.786, p = 0.021) between OSATS and SFM scores demonstrated concurrent validity. This model enables ethical, repeatable, and cost-effective training, supporting its implementation into surgical curricula to enhance competence and provide objective skill assessment in orbitozygomatic trauma surgery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation in Oral- and Cranio-Maxillofacial Reconstruction)
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13 pages, 16372 KB  
Technical Note
Jaw in a Day: How to Perform Your First Case—Our Workflow
by Camilo Mosquera and Hisham Marwan
Craniomaxillofac. Trauma Reconstr. 2025, 18(3), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/cmtr18030038 - 4 Sep 2025
Viewed by 836
Abstract
Jaw in a Day (JIAD) reconstruction provides immediate restoration of mandibular form and function through a single-stage procedure that integrates fibula free flap reconstruction, virtual surgical planning (VSP), immediate dental implant placement, and delivery of a prefabricated prosthesis. Although the technique provides significant [...] Read more.
Jaw in a Day (JIAD) reconstruction provides immediate restoration of mandibular form and function through a single-stage procedure that integrates fibula free flap reconstruction, virtual surgical planning (VSP), immediate dental implant placement, and delivery of a prefabricated prosthesis. Although the technique provides significant benefits in reducing rehabilitation time and improving patient outcomes, its adoption has been limited due to perceived technical complexity and unfamiliarity with dental workflow. This manuscript provides a detailed, step-by-step protocol to guide surgeons through their first JIAD case, from patient selection and data acquisition to VSP execution, intraoperative coordination, and implant positioning. Emphasis is placed on accurate osteotomy design, implant placement using guided protocols, fabrication of patient-specific hardware, and precise prosthesis pickup techniques. This guide also addresses essential OR team preparation and sterile handling of non-sterile components. By breaking down the process into actionable stages and highlighting common pitfalls and technical tips, this resource aims to lower the barrier for early adopters and enhance the success of initial JIAD cases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation in Oral- and Cranio-Maxillofacial Reconstruction)
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